There is a decent market of people (the same group that might buy an iWhack) who would be interested in a TV-top web box. Especially if it is very inexpensive. Since this one runs Linux (or is it GNU/Linux? [sorry, couldn't resist]), cheap is a good bet.
My point? The Linux/OpenSource/FreeSoftware community should, at the very least, send praise the way of this company - this is one good route to getting The Penguin into the hands of the average home user. So, if this markets well, it could set a precedent - not only for more Linux-embedded products, but also for Linux in the hands of the general populace.
If I were MS, or some other large computer corp, I'd be watching this box carefully. Let's show 'em that something non-"standard" can fly...
This is a great thing for those of us who can't afford rack components, or want to convert existing boxen to a rack-like config w/o reinvesting the wheel.
Before I get on my soapbox, let me make a couple of simple statements to think about whilst you read my comment:
I think moderation is a good thing, and that (as several others have stated herein) who is more important that what is done.
Also, I believe that no automated process should be used to decide moderation.
Now let me expound. The problem with automatic moderator selection is that the algorithims used must eventually become public -- whether Rob publishes them or someone figures them out. Because of this, there will always be those who gain moderator access by deviant means. To weed those out, there would need to be moderation of the moderators, and I doubt anyone wants to invest the kind of time needed to implement that - least of all Rob.
What I suggest is to use an existing moderation model, and slightly modify it to fit the/. purpose. My personal suggestion is to use the IRC model - but make it a bit less haphazard.
Consider the following: We all trust Rob to be the "ubermoderator", since he does own/. anyhow... So why not have Rob pick a handful of trusted/. users to be "operators"? These "ops" would be allowed to moderate comments, as well as manage who will become moderators.
Each "op" would likely have his/her own ideas about whom would moderate well, and therefore could add to the diversity. To elimate the "my freinds are all welcome" syndrome, perhaps two ops would need to agree to create a moderator.
Also, perhaps moderators could appoint "helpers" to assist them in moderation. To keep the balance of power in check, a skewed scoring system could be used (i.e. ops can knock an article up/down by 5 pts, mods by 3 and helpers by 1), and mods could be held responsible for the actions of their helpers. In this way, if a helper is misbehaving, the moderator who appointed him would have incentive to remove him/her - even if (s)he may be a friend - to protect his/her own moderator status.
I know this is much more complex than I have made it seem - and I welcome those who wish to point out the flaws in this theory.
And, of course, I welcome e-mail from anyone who would like to discuss it more in-depth than should be done in this forum -- but please take a moment to reply to this comment in some way: I'd really like to know how the/. community views this idea, as I am thinking about it for a site I am developing as well.
Maybe not who likes what (I value my privacy) but how many people choose to see certain articles. Like how many people ignore Jon Katz (64-bit variables anyone?:P)
I suspect they have a valid case: after all, this is a specific game. They don't seem to be going after tetris-like games (like hextris), but just clones.
Unfortunately (for them...) this rings of the whole.GIF format battle a few years back -- they may have a valid case, but they have waited far too long to bring it. Somehow I doubt they'll be able to pull the clones now.
What the hell are you thinking? I don't think people come to SlashDot.org to read monotonous articles dripping with egotistical observations about something the writer clearly lacks all understanding of.
Normally, I do not even approach flame in my comments, but this is getting VERY annoying! Jon, if you want to learn and truly understand the Linux/openSource community, listen and ask questions -- stop talking with authority if you are ignorant. I would be the first to help you with what I know. Unfortunately, I am still a newbie myself.
The difference between you and I is that, though we both view ourselves as newbies, I have the decency to reserve my observations about things until I'm sure I understand. Not that I remain quiet -- I seek to understand. I haven't ever seen you post a QUESTION on slashdot, or in any other way attempt to be part of the community. You seem content to sit on high and observe. Well, try to follow the first rule of writing: don't write about things which you have not experienced, rather, seek the experience first.
Slashdot Mirror
There is a decent market of people (the same group that might buy an iWhack) who would be interested in a TV-top web box. Especially if it is very inexpensive. Since this one runs Linux (or is it GNU/Linux? [sorry, couldn't resist]), cheap is a good bet.
My point? The Linux/OpenSource/FreeSoftware community should, at the very least, send praise the way of this company - this is one good route to getting The Penguin into the hands of the average home user. So, if this markets well, it could set a precedent - not only for more Linux-embedded products, but also for Linux in the hands of the general populace.
If I were MS, or some other large computer corp, I'd be watching this box carefully. Let's show 'em that something non-"standard" can fly...
Posted by the Proteus
Posted by the Proteus
I think moderation is a good thing, and that (as several others have stated herein) who is more important that what is done.
Also, I believe that no automated process should be used to decide moderation.
Now let me expound. The problem with automatic moderator selection is that the algorithims used must eventually become public -- whether Rob publishes them or someone figures them out. Because of this, there will always be those who gain moderator access by deviant means. To weed those out, there would need to be moderation of the moderators, and I doubt anyone wants to invest the kind of time needed to implement that - least of all Rob.
What I suggest is to use an existing moderation model, and slightly modify it to fit the /. purpose. My personal suggestion is to use the IRC model - but make it a bit less haphazard.
Consider the following: We all trust Rob to be the "ubermoderator", since he does own /. anyhow... So why not have Rob pick a handful of trusted /. users to be "operators"? These "ops" would be allowed to moderate comments, as well as manage who will become moderators.
Each "op" would likely have his/her own ideas about whom would moderate well, and therefore could add to the diversity. To elimate the "my freinds are all welcome" syndrome, perhaps two ops would need to agree to create a moderator.
Also, perhaps moderators could appoint "helpers" to assist them in moderation. To keep the balance of power in check, a skewed scoring system could be used (i.e. ops can knock an article up/down by 5 pts, mods by 3 and helpers by 1), and mods could be held responsible for the actions of their helpers. In this way, if a helper is misbehaving, the moderator who appointed him would have incentive to remove him/her - even if (s)he may be a friend - to protect his/her own moderator status.
I know this is much more complex than I have made it seem - and I welcome those who wish to point out the flaws in this theory.
And, of course, I welcome e-mail from anyone who would like to discuss it more in-depth than should be done in this forum -- but please take a moment to reply to this comment in some way: I'd really like to know how the /. community views this idea, as I am thinking about it for a site I am developing as well.
Long live the Free Mind!
Posted by the Proteus
Posted by the Proteus
I suspect they have a valid case: after all, this is a specific game. They don't seem to be going after tetris-like games (like hextris), but just clones.
.GIF format battle a few years back -- they may have a valid case, but they have waited far too long to bring it. Somehow I doubt they'll be able to pull the clones now.
Unfortunately (for them...) this rings of the whole
just my USD$0.02
If the P3 is the way in, is Windows the way out?
---
MS: "Where do you want to go today?"
Linux: (to MS users) "Where the hell have you BEEN all day?"
---
Earth to Jon...
What the hell are you thinking? I don't think people come to SlashDot.org to read monotonous articles dripping with egotistical observations about something the writer clearly lacks all understanding of.
Normally, I do not even approach flame in my comments, but this is getting VERY annoying! Jon, if you want to learn and truly understand the Linux/openSource community, listen and ask questions -- stop talking with authority if you are ignorant. I would be the first to help you with what I know. Unfortunately, I am still a newbie myself.
The difference between you and I is that, though we both view ourselves as newbies, I have the decency to reserve my observations about things until I'm sure I understand. Not that I remain quiet -- I seek to understand. I haven't ever seen you post a QUESTION on slashdot, or in any other way attempt to be part of the community. You seem content to sit on high and observe. Well, try to follow the first rule of writing: don't write about things which you have not experienced, rather, seek the experience first.
That is all. In the meantime, shut the hell up!
- proteus -